Police, community and calendar briefs for June 18, 2013

Published: Monday, June 17, 2013 at 10:30 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, June 17, 2013 at 8:18 p.m.

Police said Monday that a man in jail accused of cashing a counterfeit check using his real name was facing two additional charges for the same offense.

Officials from Wells Fargo Bank in Ocala contacted the Ocala Police Department after two checks for more than $5,500 were cashed by Rodney Anderson in April. The checks were from a business in Orlando and were made out to Anderson. Neither check was authorized by the business, according to OPD reports.

Officers recalled that a man named Rodney Anderson was arrested May 30 for trying to cash a counterfeit check at Gateway Bank in Ocala. They compared his booking mug with photos taken at the Wells Fargo locations and determined it was the same person.

Anderson was still in the Marion County Jail on a charge of uttering a forged instrument, being held in lieu of a $5,000 bond. Officials said he also would be charged with grand theft and a second forgery charge.

Boat captain accused of boating under influence

A Sunday boating trip down the Ocklawaha River ended with four people abandoning ship after they said the vessel’s operator got upset and went for a machete.

It was unclear what set off Rex Crews, 51, but it was enough that the four passengers on the boat, including Crews’ daughter, decided it was safer in the water, according to Marion County Sheriff’s Office reports.

The four were picked up by a passing boat and the sheriff’s helicopter was able to spot Crews’ boat near Moss Bluff. Crews docked the boat and ran into the woods. He was eventually caught by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers and charged with boating under the influence.

Antique furniture reported stolen

A man reported over the weekend that $10,000 in antique furniture was stolen from a home he owns sometime in the past two weeks.

The man said he left for vacation on May 30 and returned Saturday to find the home in the 14000 block of Southeast 155th Street, which he inherited from his father, in disarray, according to Marion County Sheriff’s Office reports.

The man said items including a sideboard, china cabinet, old military uniforms, a desk and several tables were taken.

He said no one has lived in the home for about seven years due to a fire at the property that left the home smelling of smoke, reports state.

Anyone with information about the case can call the Sheriff’s Office at 732-9111 or Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP.

Report: Deputy finds drugs, weapon in car

A traffic stop on Monday morning ended with two people in jail, including one on charges of intending to sell marijuana and having a weapon in the car.

Desmond Davis, 23, was driving along the 4500 block of West State Road 40 when he failed to stop at a stop sign just before 3 a.m., according to Sheriff’s Office reports.

A deputy pulled him over and during the traffic stop, the officer noticed a strong smell of marijuana coming from the car. He later found six small plastic bags of marijuana in the car and a 9 mm handgun under Davis’ seat. Davis was also driving without a valid license, according to reports.

Davis was booked into the Marion County Jail on one count each of possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, display of a firearm during a felony and knowingly driving with a suspended or revoked license.

A passenger in the car was also charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana.

COMMUNITY

Book signing Tuesday in downtown Ocala

Former Ocala resident and author Anton DiSclafani will appear at Shannon Roth Collection in downtown Ocala from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday to sign copies of her new novel, “The Yonalossee Riding Camp For Girls.” Released last week, the book is her debut novel and has received much attention in the national press.

Book reviewer Sherryl Connelly of the New York Daily News called the book “a lush story suited to lazy-day reading.”

Set in 1930, the book follows a 15-year-old equestrienne named Thea Atwell who has been cast out of her family due to her role in a tragedy.

Anton was raised in Ocala and now lives in St. Louis. Shannon Roth Collection is at 22 S. Magnolia Ave. Call 690-2121 for information.

The course fee is $40, which includes a workbook. The deadline to register is July 2.

For more information, call 873-5804, visit CFItraining.cf.edu or email CFI.CustomerCare@cf.edu.

Arabian Nights trip planned on June 27

The Barbara Washington Adult Activity Center is hosting a trip to Orlando on June 27 to see Arabian Nights. The tour will leave at 9 a.m. and return at 6 p.m.

The cost is $52 per person. Pre-paid registration is required.

For more information, call 629-8357 or 629-8545.

Walmart hiring 200 for new store

Walmart will hire approximately 200 associates to work at the new store slated to open this summer in Ocala near State Highway 464 and Midway Road. A temporary hiring center has opened at The Enterprise Center of the College of Central Florida, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala. The store will be hiring full- and part-time associates.

Applications will be accepted 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays, and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Fridays. Interested applicants may also apply online at http://careers.walmart.com.

Car washes benefit Hospice of Marion

Soapy’s Car Wash will donate $2 from every “Whale”-level car wash to Hospice of Marion County for cars washed any day at 1621 SW 19th Ave. Road or 11265 SW 93rd Court Road.

For more information, call 873-7400.

Homeowners can get mortgage help

The Ocala Housing Authority has assistance for homeowners who qualify through the Mortgage Foreclosure Preve ntion Assistance Program, which provides financial and housing counseling services and grant-funded financial assistance.

For more information, call 369-2235 or 369-2636.

Zoo animal program available in Bushnell

The Florida International Teaching Zoo will offer a zoo animal management program with veterinary assistant certification beginning in September at the teaching school, 4258 SW 52nd Terrace, Bushnell.

<p>POLICE BEAT</p><p><b>Man accused of forgery faces additional charges </b></p><p>Police said Monday that a man in jail accused of cashing a counterfeit check using his real name was facing two additional charges for the same offense.</p><p>Officials from Wells Fargo Bank in Ocala contacted the Ocala Police Department after two checks for more than $5,500 were cashed by Rodney Anderson in April. The checks were from a business in Orlando and were made out to Anderson. Neither check was authorized by the business, according to OPD reports.</p><p>Officers recalled that a man named Rodney Anderson was arrested May 30 for trying to cash a counterfeit check at Gateway Bank in Ocala. They compared his booking mug with photos taken at the Wells Fargo locations and determined it was the same person.</p><p>Anderson was still in the Marion County Jail on a charge of uttering a forged instrument, being held in lieu of a $5,000 bond. Officials said he also would be charged with grand theft and a second forgery charge.</p><p><b>Boat captain accused of boating under influence</b></p><p>A Sunday boating trip down the Ocklawaha River ended with four people abandoning ship after they said the vessel's operator got upset and went for a machete.</p><p>It was unclear what set off Rex Crews, 51, but it was enough that the four passengers on the boat, including Crews' daughter, decided it was safer in the water, according to Marion County Sheriff's Office reports.</p><p>The four were picked up by a passing boat and the sheriff's helicopter was able to spot Crews' boat near Moss Bluff. Crews docked the boat and ran into the woods. He was eventually caught by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers and charged with boating under the influence.</p><p><b>Antique furniture reported stolen</b></p><p>A man reported over the weekend that $10,000 in antique furniture was stolen from a home he owns sometime in the past two weeks.</p><p>The man said he left for vacation on May 30 and returned Saturday to find the home in the 14000 block of Southeast 155th Street, which he inherited from his father, in disarray, according to Marion County Sheriff's Office reports.</p><p>The man said items including a sideboard, china cabinet, old military uniforms, a desk and several tables were taken.</p><p>He said no one has lived in the home for about seven years due to a fire at the property that left the home smelling of smoke, reports state.</p><p>Anyone with information about the case can call the Sheriff's Office at 732-9111 or Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP.</p><p><b>Report: Deputy finds drugs, weapon in car</b></p><p>A traffic stop on Monday morning ended with two people in jail, including one on charges of intending to sell marijuana and having a weapon in the car.</p><p>Desmond Davis, 23, was driving along the 4500 block of West State Road 40 when he failed to stop at a stop sign just before 3 a.m., according to Sheriff's Office reports.</p><p>A deputy pulled him over and during the traffic stop, the officer noticed a strong smell of marijuana coming from the car. He later found six small plastic bags of marijuana in the car and a 9 mm handgun under Davis' seat. Davis was also driving without a valid license, according to reports.</p><p>Davis was booked into the Marion County Jail on one count each of possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, display of a firearm during a felony and knowingly driving with a suspended or revoked license.</p><p>A passenger in the car was also charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana.</p><p> </p><p>COMMUNITY</p><p><b>Book signing Tuesday in downtown Ocala</b></p><p>Former Ocala resident and author Anton DiSclafani will appear at Shannon Roth Collection in downtown Ocala from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday to sign copies of her new novel, “The Yonalossee Riding Camp For Girls.” Released last week, the book is her debut novel and has received much attention in the national press.</p><p>Book reviewer Sherryl Connelly of the New York Daily News called the book “a lush story suited to lazy-day reading.”</p><p>Set in 1930, the book follows a 15-year-old equestrienne named Thea Atwell who has been cast out of her family due to her role in a tragedy.</p><p>Anton was raised in Ocala and now lives in St. Louis. Shannon Roth Collection is at 22 S. Magnolia Ave. Call 690-2121 for information.</p><p><b>Women's luncheon is June 25 at Hilton</b></p><p>The Ocala Christian Women's Connection will host a “Sparkle Plenty Luncheon” from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. June 25 at the Ocala Hilton, 3600 SW 36 Ave., Ocala.</p><p>The program includes Patricia Lougen from Gem Galleria of Jewelers, singers Christen McFarland and Suzanne Cordrey, and inspirational speaker Carolyn Ersig.</p><p>The cost is $18. Childcare is available. Reservations are needed by Friday.</p><p>For more information, call 732-7053.</p><p><b> 'How to Start Up Your Own Business'</b></p><p>The CF Institute at the College of Central Florida will offer “How to Start Up Your Own Business” from 9 a.m. to noon on July 8 at 3001 SW College Road, Ocala.</p><p>Topics include selecting a business idea, testing the market, acquiring capital, writing a business plan, finding help, understanding legal requirements and projecting cash flow.</p><p>The course fee is $40, which includes a workbook. The deadline to register is July 2.</p><p>For more information, call 873-5804, visit CFItraining.cf.edu or email CFI.CustomerCare@cf.edu.</p><p><b>Arabian Nights trip planned on June 27</b></p><p>The Barbara Washington Adult Activity Center is hosting a trip to Orlando on June 27 to see Arabian Nights. The tour will leave at 9 a.m. and return at 6 p.m.</p><p>The cost is $52 per person. Pre-paid registration is required.</p><p>For more information, call 629-8357 or 629-8545.</p><p><b>Walmart hiring 200 for new store</b></p><p>Walmart will hire approximately 200 associates to work at the new store slated to open this summer in Ocala near State Highway 464 and Midway Road. A temporary hiring center has opened at The Enterprise Center of the College of Central Florida, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala. The store will be hiring full- and part-time associates.</p><p>Applications will be accepted 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays, and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Fridays. Interested applicants may also apply online at http://careers.walmart.com.</p><p><b>Car washes benefit Hospice of Marion</b></p><p>Soapy's Car Wash will donate $2 from every “Whale”-level car wash to Hospice of Marion County for cars washed any day at 1621 SW 19th Ave. Road or 11265 SW 93rd Court Road.</p><p>For more information, call 873-7400.</p><p><b>Homeowners can get mortgage help</b></p><p>The Ocala Housing Authority has assistance for homeowners who qualify through the Mortgage Foreclosure Preve ntion Assistance Program, which provides financial and housing counseling services and grant-funded financial assistance.</p><p>For more information, call 369-2235 or 369-2636.</p><p><b>Zoo animal program available in Bushnell</b></p><p>The Florida International Teaching Zoo will offer a zoo animal management program with veterinary assistant certification beginning in September at the teaching school, 4258 SW 52nd Terrace, Bushnell.</p><p>The cost is $1,000 per term.</p><p>To learn more, call 867-7788 or visit www.facebook.com/#!/PetVaccinations.</p><p>CALENDAR </p><p><b>TODAY</b></p><p>COUNTY COMMISSION: Marion County Board of County Commissioners, 9 a.m. Tuesday, Commissioners' Auditorium, McPherson Governmental Complex, 601 SE 25th Ave. (438-2323 or www.marioncountyfl.org)</p><p> </p><p>OCALA COUNCIL: Ocala City Council 4 p.m. Tuesday, City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave., Ocala. (629-8401 or www.ocalafl.org)</p><p> </p><p>BELLEVIEW COMMISSION: Belleview City Commission, 6 p.m. Tuesday, City Hall, 5343 SE Abshier Blvd., Belleview. (233-2109 or www.belleviewfl.org)</p><p> </p><p>OCALA HARMONY: Women's barbershop chorus, 1 p.m. Tuesday, College Park Church, 3140 SW 26th St., Ocala. (875-4811)</p><p> </p><p>T.O.P.S.: Taking Off Pounds Sensibly, 7 p.m. Tuesday, First United Methodist Church, 1126 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. Weigh-in 5:45 p.m. (236-4157 or 732-6947)</p><p> </p><p>TOASTMASTERS: Ocala Noon Toastmasters, noon, Tuesday, AAA Auto Club South, 3033 SW College Road, Ocala (816-4842); also, Marion United Toastmasters, 4 p.m. Tuesday, United Way of Marion County, 1401 NE Second St., Ocala. (816-1264)</p><p> </p><p>CHAIR YOGA: Free class, 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dunnellon Public Library, 20351 Robinson Road. (489-3761)</p><p> </p><p>NAR ANON: 12-step support group for those with loved one suffering from addiction, 7 p.m. Tuesday, St. Marks United Methodist Church, 1839 NE Eighth Ave. Road, Ocala. Newcomers 6:30 p.m. (naranonfl.org)</p><p> </p><p>BINGO: 1 p.m. Tuesday, Forest Community Center, 777 S. County Road 314A, Ocklawaha (438-2840); also, 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Knights of Columbus Marion Council, 5 SE 17th St., Ocala. (368-5960) </p><p> </p><p>BASKET WEAVING: Basket weaving, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, First United Methodist Church, 1126, E. Silver Spring Blvd., Ocala. (629-9657 or 817-2967)</p><p> </p><p>MODEL RAILROADS: Ocala Model Railroad Historical Preservation Society, 7 p.m. Tuesday, 1247 NE Third St., Ocala. (401-0747)</p><p> </p><p>SACRED CHORALE: Rehearsal of “A Mass of Masses,” 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oakcrest Baptist Church, 1109 NE 28 St., Ocala (690-2411 or sscchorale_ocala@yahoo.com)</p><p> </p><p>TEEN MOVIE: 5 p.m. Tuesday, Marion County Public library, 2720 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. (671-8551)</p><p> </p><p>FAMILY MOVIES: 10 a.m. for teens; 1 p.m. for adults; Tuesday, Belleview Public Library, 13145 SE County Road 484, Belleview. (438-2500)</p><p> </p><p><b>TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS</b></p><p>HORSES AND HEROES: “At Ease: Horses and Heroes” allows veterans to relax and interact with rescue horses, 3 to 5 p.m. Tuesday and 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, 13031 SE 120th St., Ocklawaha. (239-3484 or Horseinmiracles.org)</p><p> </p><p><b>WEDNESDAY</b></p><p>STAMP CLUB: General Francis Marion Stamp Club, 1 p.m. Wednesday, Bank of the Ozarks, 8375 SW State Road 200, Ocala. (www.ocalagfmstampclub.com)</p><p> </p><p>MEET THE AUTHOR: Author Kristin Sanford, 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Open Circle MCC, 12332 SE U.S. 301, Belleview. (www.redemptionbook.webs.com or ksanford71@hotmail.com)</p><p> </p><p>COMPUTER CLASS: Intro to Keyboarding, 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Marion County Public library, 2720 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. (671-8551)</p><p> </p><p>SHINE: Free Medicare counseling, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Belleview Public Library, 13145 SE County Road 484, Belleview. (438-2500)</p><p> </p><p>COMPUTER CONFIDENCE: Have computer questions answered, 10 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Forest Public Library, 905 S. County Road 314A, Ocklawaha. (438-2540)</p><p> </p><p>MOVIE MATINEE: For families, 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Forest Public Library, 905 S. County Road 314A, Ocklawaha. (438-2540)</p><p> </p><p>TEEN TIME: Art Rocks, for ages 12-18, Wednesday, Freedom Public Library, 5870 SW 95 St., Ocala. (438-2580)</p><p> </p><p>To submit information for this list, send an e-mail to calendar@starbanner.com or visit www.ocala.com, scroll down and click on EVENTS CALENDAR on the right.</p>